On Thursday, February 14, 2013, Berkshire County will join with activists around the world for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Berkshire community organizers, including Elizabeth Freeman Center, Human/Animal Violence Education Network, Berkshire County Kids’ Place and WAM Theatre, are calling out to the entire Berkshire community to join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, women and men across the world as we strike, dance, and RISE, demanding an end at last to violence against women. Berkshire Rising includes a countywide rising at 4:00 pm and a ONE BILLION RISING 10×10 Upstreet Dance Party at 6:00 pm uUpstairs at Spice Dragon in Pittsfield, MA.
ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. “When we started V-Day 14 years ago, we had the outrageous idea that we could end violence against women,” said Eve Ensler. “Now, we are both stunned and thrilled to see that this global action is truly escalating and gaining force, with union workers, parliament members, celebrities, and women of all backgrounds coming forward to join the campaign. When we come together on February 14, 2013 to demand an end to violence against women and girls it will be a truly global voice that will rise up.”
“When you watch the ONE BILLION RISING video, in three short minutes you feel horror and fear and then you are swept with the passion and determination to act. Think about it, one in three women in this world are beaten and raped, and we are no safer here”, says organizer Nina Molin. “It has to stop..”
Pittsfield Mayor Daniel Bianchi will hold a rising event at noon to is rising. declare February 14 One Billion Rising Day.At noon on February 14, he will declare Citizens in North Adams will be hosting a community dance and multimedia event with live drumming at 6:00pm, location to be determined.
Berkshirites can rise by playing the one billion rising video, posting it on facebook, and joining in a group rising/dance with friends, family and co-workers. Public group risings are organizing in locations throughout the county.